Breast Cancer. For most women it is something they dread hearing, but it is something more and more will hear in their lifetime. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, but also occurs in a small number of men. It is most commonly associated with those above the age of 50. It can be contracted by those in younger age groups, but the risk is not as high as for those in the older age range.

There is currently no defined cause for breast cancer, although there are factors which can put someone at a higher risk. Some risk factors are unavoidable, while some are not.

Unavoidable risk factors include;

- Gender: Women are more susceptible to contracting breast cancer than men.

- Age: The older a person gets, the greater the risk factor.

- Family history: If a family member has previously contracted the disease, the chances of another family member contracting it rises considerably.

- Genetic predisposition: If the body carries a gene associated with the disease, the odds can increase greatly. This gene can be passed down through generations. If a parent is known to carry a genetic predisposition, it is also possible for their children to carry the gene as well.

- Race: White women are much more susceptible to contracting breast cancer than black or Hispanic women.

- Prolonged exposure to estrogen: Those who enter the menopause at a more advanced age than normal (55+) are believed to have a higher risk factor. Estrogen is believed to play a part in causing breast cancer to form.

Factors which can be controlled include;

- Weight: As in most cancers, those who are overweight place themselves at a higher risk of cancer. Anyone overweight would be advised to begin an exercise program and improve their diet as soon as possible. Especially if coupled with age factors. Always be sure to consult with a doctor before beginning a rigorous exercise program.

- Smoking: Again, as with other cancers, those who smoke are putting themselves at a higher risk for cancer. Quit smoking as soon as possible to reduce the risk of cancer.

- Drinking: Those who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day are thought to be at greater risk of breast cancer. If you struggle with alcohol, seek help to quit and cut the risk. If that is not possible, try to limit yourself to only one alcoholic beverage per day.

There are many symptoms, which may point to breast cancer. Finding a lump or hardening of the breast, or areas near the breast, is the most common symptom. Other symptoms can include a change in breast size, discharge from the nipple itself, tenderness and even a change in how the breast feels. If you experience any of these symptoms, you are advised to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

If caught in the early stages, breast cancer is much easier to combat and in most cases can be beaten. If allowed to reach an advanced stage, the survival rates are much worse. That means screening and preventative measure are essential. If you are over the age of 50, a mammogram is an essential tool in breast cancer prevention. Have your doctor schedule one at appropriate intervals. If you find a lump, have it checked. A little prevention can go a long way in avoiding an unnecessary battle with the advanced stages of this dreaded disease.

1. Women should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Physical activity lowers the amount of estrogen in the body, thus lowering the breast cancer risk. A study discovered that active women are half as likely to develop the disease as those who do no vigorous activity. A fast 30-minute walk 5 days a week can reduce the risk of breast cancer 18%.

2. Women should maintain a healthy weight. A study found that the more weight women gain after age 18, the greater their risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer. Women who gained over 70 pounds during middle age doubled their risk. The additional weight will increase estrogen production, which can cause tumor growth.

3. Women should limit the polyunsaturated fat (corn, safflower, and sunflower oils) and saturated fat (meat and dairy). High levels of these fats have been linked to breast cancer. Focus on monounsaturated fats, such as olive and canola oils.

4. Women should eat fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids. These are powerful cancer-protective pigments. Eat 5 to 9 half- to one-cup daily servings of carrots, tomatoes, watermelon or spinach.

5. Women should consume soy. A study discovered that the more miso soup women consumed, the lower their breast cancer risk. Include 1 to 2 servings of soy foods each day: a cup of soy milk or half a cup of tofu, tempeh, or soy nuts.

6. Women should flavor food with flaxseeds. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the risk of all types of cancer. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed on your morning cereal, mix it into smoothies, or use flaxseed oil in salad.

7. Women should limit alcohol. One or two drinks a day can increase your chances of getting breast cancer, because alcohol is linked to higher levels of cancer-causing estrogen.

8. Women should breastfeed. Lactation suppresses ovulation and the production of estrogen in your body. A study found that for each year of breastfeeding, a woman's breast cancer risk dropped 4%.

9. Women should stop smoking. Many studies found that women can increase their risks if they smoke. In addition, a recent study discovered that secondhand smoke can cause breast cancer, mostly in younger women.

10. Women should avoid unnecessary antibiotics. It was discovered that the more frequently you take antibiotics, the higher your breast cancer risk.

One of the treatment options with breast cancer is a mastectomy, or removal of the breast. Depending on risk factors and genetic issues, some women have both breasts removed. Reconstruction is the rebuilding of one or both breasts. Reconstruction cannot completely replace a lost breast, but some women decide to have it done either at the time of the mastectomy, which is immediate reconstruction or at a later date, known as delayed reconstruction. It is a very personal decision that is usually based on how the patient feels about their body and breasts. Some women chose to have no reconstruction and use what is called a breast form.

One type of reconstruction makes use of synthetic implants. They can be either silicone filled or saline filled. Sometimes a temporary expander will be used if the implant is too large to insert under the skin and muscle of the chest wall. When an expander is used, it is injected every few weeks with a small amount of saline to gently stretch the skin and muscle to the size of the implant, at which time the actual implant will be inserted. This usually takes three to six months.

The other type of reconstruction makes use of the patient's own tissue. The tissue is transfered from another part of the body and consists of skin, muscle and fat - a myo-cutaneous flap, or just a flap. This is a fairly extensive procedure and not without a degree of risk. It is painful, both where the tissue is taken from and at the breast area, but it also provides the most natural looking results. The three different types of flap are the TRAM flap, which uses the abdominal muscles, the LAT flap, which uses the muscle from the upper back, and a Free Flap, which can be from the abdominal area or buttocks.

The TRAM flap involves cutting into the abs. The muscle, fat and skin are removed and pulled up to the breast area. The blood vessels are kept intact during the procedure. The flap is shaped into the form of the breast. Usually a good match to the other breast can be made and no implant is required in addition to the flap. The patient receives a tummy tuck as part of the deal, but runs the risk of developing a hernia from where the flap was removed.

A LAT flap follows the same procedure, using the latissimus dorsi muscle instead. The flap is pulled through a temporary tunnel, which is created under the skin from the back to the breast area. Because of the smaller size of the flap, an implant is usually added to make the breast larger.

The Free flap is the most technical of the three and involved the disruption of the blood supply to the flap during surgery. For this reason, you must have a surgeon that is skilled in microsurgery.

Another part of the reconstruction process involves nipple and areola recreation. In this procedure, a piece of skin is removed from another part of the body, the abdomen, leg or breast itself and shaped into a nipple. After it has healed, an areola is tattooed around the reconstructed nipple.

So you've finished treatment, your hair is starting to grow back and the fog of chemotherapy is slowly starting to lift - what now? One of the issues all breast cancer survivors must deal with is the long-term side effects that can arise post therapy.

From a physical standpoint, your body has changed. The after effects of surgery can leave you with a stiff shoulder, so exercise is important in terms of regaining a full rage of motion again. You'll probably have to always take a little extra time with it when stretching in the future. Depending on how many lymph nodes you had removed, you may have to contend with lymphedema. Exercise and eating healthily are probably the best ways to deal with the physical side effects of surgery and radiation. Massage can be a good way to help with some of the scaring that may have occurred, limiting your physical motion.

If you had chemotherapy, you will have to contend with some long-term sided effects. Chemo brain is probably the most annoying of these. This is a decrease in the cognitive brain function, which may or may not improve over time. Another issue is fatigue, which will lessen over time. You may have gained some weight, so, again, exercise and diet changes can help you get back to a more comfortable weight. Bone loss is also an issue, especially when women are thrown into early menopause after chemo (yet another side effect). Taking calcium supplements will help with that. A chemotherapy called Adriamycin can cause damage to the heart.

Body image and intimacy are other issues and usually the hardest to talk about. After having surgery and treatments that are very invasive in addition to the feeling of distrust towards your own body for turning on you, it's no wonder that it takes a little time for a woman to feel good about sex again after having breast cancer. It's important to let your partner know how you are feeling if you are having issues of this type so that they don't take it personally and can give you the space you need to recover. Talking to a professional about any issues you may be having can help immensely during this time.

For younger breast cancer survivors, pregnancy is sometimes an issue if they had not yet had children. Survivors can struggle with the decision to have children after their diagnosis. On one hand, some women feel that they should not bring a child into the world if they are not completely certain they will be around to raise them. On the other hand, some feel that they can at least carry on their family heritage and give the child a few years of love and care in the event that the cancer comes back. Also, chemotherapy can cause you to lose your fertility, so if you think you may want to have children using a donor egg or in vitro fertilization, you will need to consider the risks associated with hormones that will be used to regulate the pregnancy.

Recovering from cancer can take time, but being aware of these potential long-term issues and being proactive with them can help make the recovery easier.

Cancer chemotherapy affects the function of the ovaries in pre-menopause, specifically its ability to produce estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries secrete these hormones in a cyclic manner in response to trigger hormones produced by the pituitary gland. During the later part of a woman's reproductive life, during her late 40s or early 50s, the ovaries no longer produce these hormones and she is thus entering menopause. This process, where the ovaries shut down their sex hormone production, takes several months to a year or so to happen. The gradual decrease in estrogen and progesterone is usually accompanied by menopausal symptoms such as cessation of menstrual periods, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Undergoing chemotherapy may accelerate menopause. This basically means that at the very same time a woman is handling a breast cancer diagnosis, she must deal with the changes and possible undesirable effects of the menopause. The same is true for woman on hormone replacement therapy who must abruptly stop her hormone treatment due to the diagnosis of breast cancer.

The association between breast cancer and endocrine status is complex and varies with every woman. The standard therapy for a recently diagnosed breast cancer patient is to stop hormone replacement therapy. This is because it has been found from numerous researches that estrogen increases the risk or breast cancer. In the past, women with breast cancer were advised not to resume hormone replacement therapy or begin it. Fortunately, this practice has changed and nowadays, treatment is based on each woman's individual situation. Nevertheless, you must consider the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy in relation to your disease.

Chemotherapy in younger women often produces symptoms of menopause that can be distressing and debilitating. Fortunately, women suffering from these symptoms can turn to Eastern medicine for relief. Certain herbal medicines used for many years by Eastern medical practitioners contain estrogen-like substances called phytoestrogens. Some of these herbs relieve symptoms without having any cancer promoting effects of estrogen. A few of these herbs are gotu kola and oil of evening primrose.

A lot of women have also found that through dietary modifications, they experience fewer hot flashes. Soy and soy products contain genistein, an estrogen-like substance. It is much less potent than the estrogen produced by the ovaries, but it does have the ability to improve hot flashes to varying degrees in most women.

After chemotherapy, many women will experience vaginal dryness as a result of estrogen deficiency. There are a number of effective vaginal moisturizers that can alleviate this symptom. Estrogen vaginal cream provides an excellent remedy, but in such cases, estrogen is absorbed systematically, which is usually contraindicated in the setting of breast cancer. The thinner the vaginal membranes, the more quickly estrogen is absorbed, thereby allowing large amounts to enter the body. New products are available on the market today in the form of a slow-releasing formulation estrogen vaginal inserts which may provide minimal amounts of estrogen to the body. These agents help ease the discomfort of dryness but do not provide so much estrogen as to stimulate growth in the cancer cells and interfere with treatment. You may want to discuss with your oncologist regarding treatment options when you are experiencing these adverse effects of chemotherapy on your endocrine function.

If you are facing breast cancer surgery or have had a mastectomy or partial mastectomy, there are certain activities you can avoid to bypass extra suffering after your surgery. Here are some tips to help yourself be more comfortable:

1. As you are probably aware, emotional and psychological pain can sometimes hurt even worse than physical pain. With that in mind, you will want to have a support group standing behind you before surgery and after as well. For example, there may be a friend that you have in mind right now who has already gone through breast surgery. She will probably be a great comfort to you at this time in your life.

2. After breast cancer surgery you may experience a sense of imbalance in your body. In time your body will adjust. A physical therapist can help you regain as much movement as possible. He or she can suggest special exercises to help work out the stiffness and help you to feel better physically after surgery.

3. If you have lymph nodes removed, the affected arm may swell from time to time. So avoid wearing tight clothing or bracelets.

4. Use the arm that has not been involved in your mastectomy or partial mastectomy to carry heavy items.

5. After surgery you will want any medical procedures to be done on your stronger arm. For example, receive injections and have your blood pressure taken on the arm that has not been involved in your surgery.

6. For heavy-duty cleaning or gardening use protective gloves. If your arm is swelling, you'll feel worse having it scratched by thorns from your rose bushes.

7. Protect your skin against sunburn. A swollen sunburned arm can cause a great deal of misery!

8. Be especially careful not to cut yourself when you trim your nails or cuticles.

9. Purchase an elastic sleeve to wear on your arm if it swells.

10. Protect yourself from being bit by mosquitoes and other insects.

11. Your arm may bother you if you have lymph nodes removed, so be sure to consult with your doctor if your arm should bother you.

12. Be very careful to avoid junk foods and eat healthy foods to give your body the nourishment it needs.

By putting these 12 tips into practice after you have had breast cancer surgery, you will help yourself feel better and avoid needless extra suffering.

Genetic alterations are key factors in breast carcinogenesis. However, it is not fully understood what causes the genetic damage. Is it the woman's environment or her life that does the damage? Or is it hormones? If so, is it her own, or the ones she takes? Or is it toxic chemicals or a virus or radiation that causes these alterations? If it were possible to identify the causes and block or eliminate them, it wouldn't matter quite as much which genes were being altered.

A good example is lung cancer. It is well known that cigarette smoking triggers the disease, so it must cause the genetic alterations. Thus, it is less crucial to find out what the alterations are, because it is not necessary to neutralize the causative genetic alterations. People can just be told to stay away from cigarette smoke and, if they do so, that will tremendously reduce the risk of lung cancer. So in the case of breast cancer, thinks like diet, alcohol consumption, hormone replacement, pesticides in the environment and electromagnetic waves are currently being studied to find carcinogens, but so far, none has been found equivalent to smoke in lung cancer. Both the environmentalists and the basic researchers are right, at least to an extent. You can't simply say, "Toxic chemicals are the cause of cancer". Alone, they are not. Many people are exposed to environmental toxicants such as pesticides and never develop cancer. But on the other hand, you can't also simply say, "All cancers are genetic, environmental contaminants are irrelevant". It is the interaction between genes and the environment that will, in the end, explain cancer.

Another important aspect of breast cancer genetics are very important genes called tumor suppressor genes. These genes tamper with oncogenes (genes that have mutated) and proto-oncogenes (normal, non-mutated genes). These genes serve as breaks for the cell cycle system. While there are some genes that push the cells to grow and divide, tumor suppressor genes function in reverse to this. Sometimes, this happens because the cell is defective; in which case the tumor suppressor gene signals the cell to stop replicating or, in some instances, causes the cell to undergo a programmed type of death, known as apoptosis.

The tumor suppressor gene, p53, keeps cells with DNA mutation from dividing. It is believed that BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, which are breast cancer genes, are actually tumor suppressor genes normally functioning as DNA repair molecules. Since these genes maintain the balance in the cell cycle system, mutations or loss of function could be disastrous for the cell.

In most cancers, there is not just one but several mutations. One of the more important questions is whether the mutations come in sequentially. Will one develop breast cancer is she has the oncogene Her-2/neu mutation initially, followed by alteration of the tumor suppressor gene p53, but not if the p53 mutates first? There is still so much to be discovered with regard to the genetic causes of breast cancer. We don't have the answers yet, but we are definitely on the verge of solving the mystery.

The process of demonstrating whether a novel treatment method is better than the previous ones requires breast cancer patients to volunteer to take part in the testing of new drugs and procedures. These tests are called clinical trials.

Clinical trials need to be done in an unbiased way, if their results are to be deemed reliable. This would call for women to be randomly assigned into one or more treatment groups. In the end, the outcomes of the treatment of the various groups of the trial are compared against each other. Randomization of research subjects in clinical trials is responsible for the many recent advances in cancer treatment. Data drawn from several trials have shown that less surgery and radiation therapy are as effective as more invasive mastectomies (breast resection). Some also show that providing chemotherapy to women with non-metastasized breast cancer prevents the appearance of systemic spread and that the use of tamoxifen (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) increases the cure rate in women with hormone positive breast cancer. Through the randomized method, the physician and investigator bias has been eliminated, which is a major problem in clinical research trials comparing a novel therapy to standard treatment.

Women who have been willing to participate in clinical research trials have made a significant contribution to medical advancement. Each of these trials tests a new hypothesis and the results then become a knowledge base for succeeding clinical trials. In order to show significant differences in therapeutic modalities, several thousand women are needed as research subjects for each trial. These volunteers are well aware that they may be getting established or experimental treatment and will not be told which. These women bravely participated with this magnitude of uncertainty, not knowing if one treatment is more or less effective than the other, but agreed to help answer the question of which the more optimal therapy was. The difference in each treatment regimen in trials today involves the sequencing of various treatments or the addition of a new drug.

There are also studies called pilot trials. These are usually done in a center that is implementing clinical research that is not sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and is not randomized. Usually, these studies are sponsored by drug companies, or conducted at a university. There are safeguards in place in pilot studies to protect the research subjects as much as possible. Oftentimes, these protocols are only for women with advanced cancer who may be willing to place themselves at risk because of limited treatment options available to them at that that late stage of breast cancer.

Most human clinical research trials are divided into three phases depending upon the question, which it is attempting to answer. Phase I testing is designed to determine if a new treatment has acceptable tolerability to cancer patients and at what dosage significant side effects start to occur. Once a drug or a treatment method has been proven safe, Phase II clinical trials quantifies the objective response rate, that is, if treatment results in a measurable reduction in cancer. In women with breast cancer, both Phase I and II testing is performed on those with metastatic spread. Phase III testing involves a comparison of standard treatment to a promising one that has already gone through Phase I and II testing. Most women enrolled in this phase of clinical trials are those with a newly diagnosed breast cancer.

If you have breast cancer and you would wish to participate in such a trial, ask your oncologist if you are eligible to enroll in one. Your ability to participate may depend on the health care delivery system you are in, so you should talk to your Health Insurance Company or HMO representative. Generally, the coming years should prove very promising in the field of breast cancer research, primarily because there are phenomenal scientific resources being dedicated to the cause.

We hear it all the time…lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the extent to which this is critical to their physical well-being and ultimately their life expectancy.

In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical Association featured a study finding that obesity appears to lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. The researchers compared Body-Mass Index (BMI) to longevity and found a correlation between premature death and higher BMIs. For example, a 20-year-old white male, 5’10” weighing 288 pounds with a BMI of greater than 40 was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a result of obesity.Jamie McManus, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. and author of “Your Personal Guide to Wellness” notes that while this study referenced extreme levels of obesity, there are still millions of overweight people in developed countries with a life expectancy rate that is three to five years less than their healthy-weight counterparts. She also estimates that there are 600,000 obesity related deaths each year in America.

Just how does obesity shorten our lifespan? The answer to this question is complex, yet there is a clear link between obesity and the development of cancer. An extensive study conducted by the American Cancer Institute involving 750,000 people showed that obesity significantly increased the risk of cancer developing in the following organs: breast, colon, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, kidneys and gallbladder.

Michael Thun, MD, vice-president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society (ACS) says one reason obesity may raise cancer risk is because fat cells produce a form of estrogen called estradiol that promotes rapid division of cells, increasing chances of a random genetic error while cells are replicating, which can lead to cancer. In addition, fat centered around the abdomen may increase insulin and insulin-like growth factors in the blood, which may increase cancer risk.

"Women who are obese after menopause have a 50% higher relative risk of breast cancer," notes Thun, "and obese men have a 40% higher relative risk of colon cancer…. Gallbladder and endometrial cancer risks are five times higher for obese individuals”.There is evidence that cancer rates in developed countries are increasing at 5 to 15 times faster than developing countries. A major contributor to this alarming reality has proven to be diet. In populations where the diet consists mostly of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains – in contrast to the typical Western diet of fatty meats, refined flours, oils and sugars – the risk of cancer is much lower.

The interaction of diet and the development of cancer is an active field of research and Dr David Heber, M.D., Ph.D. and author of “What Color is Your Diet”, says “It appears that diet has its most significant effects after the cancer has already formed, acting to inhibit or stimulate the growth of that cancer”. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex set of interactions, the typical Western diet that leads to obesity may actually act to stimulate the growth of cancer cells.It is never too late to improve your health through healthful eating and adopting a more health-giving lifestyle. Here are simple steps to follow which can make an immediate improvement to your health and vitality.

1. Check your Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if weight has become health risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of Americans are overweight, defined as having a BMI (a ratio of height to weight) over 25. Of those, nearly half (27%) qualify as obese, with a body mass index of 30 or more. In 1980, just 15% of Americans were considered obese. You can check your BMI at the website below.

2. Match your diet to your body’s requirements. If you eat and drink more calories than your body requires you will put on weight. Learn to control calories and portion sizes, make recipes leaner, and eat infrequently from fast food restaurants. Also learn how to snack with healthful choices.

What are organochlorines?

Organochlorines are chemicals found in some herbicides and pesticides, in chlorine bleach and most chemical disinfectants, and many plastics, especially PVC (polyvinylchloride).

Organochlorines are implicated in causing and promoting breast cancer because they mutate genes and they cause breast cells to become more receptive to a cancer-promoting chemical called estradiol. Organochlorines weaken the immune system and lower your body’s resistance to bacteria and viruses. They also act as a negative type of estrogen in the body.

How do they enter our bodies?

Organochlorines enter our bodies through our drinking water, by eating foods grown with certain agricultural chemicals, and through the plastic linings on canned or microwaveable foods. They enter through our lungs by breathing in the fumes of chlorine bleach disinfectants and by body contact with chlorine bleached paper products such as tampons, toilet paper and paper cups.

How can we reduce our exposure?

Step One-Reduce Your Exposure

The first thing to do is to reduce your plastic consumption, especially of convenience foods. On plastic containers, there is typically a triangle with a number inside of it on the bottom of the container. You can recognize PVC or polyvinylchloride as the type of plastic that has a 3 in the center of the triangle.

As for paper products, use oxygen bleached or unbleached paper products. Companies who sell non-chlorine bleached paper products typically say so on the label and they do not necessarily market their products as “green” products.

Buy the non-chlorine bleach and more environmentally friendly household products. Simple vinegar and water can be used for many household chores. Eating only organically produced meat and dairy products will reduce the amount of organochlorines in your diet by 80%.

Step Two-Help Your Liver

With help, your liver can metabolize organochlorines. Flaxseeds and organic egg yolks contain lecithin, a chemical that speeds up the elimination of fat-soluble chemicals such as organochlorines by making them water-soluble.

Beans, lentils, red clover, soy products and chickweed contain chemicals called saponins. Saponins help to break down organochlorines, prevent cellular mutation and can stop the reproduction of cancer cells. These foods are strongly recommended for anybody who regularly consumes organochlorines.

Members of the cabbage family including broccoli, kale, turnips, radishes, cabbage, bok choy or cauliflower can help you metabolize organochlorines by increasing the production of non-cancerous by-products.

Step Three-Mother Nature’s Help

Woman-positive natural sources of estrogen can block entrance of organochlorines, estradiol and other cancer promoting estrogens when enough of them are in the blood stream. The reason behind this is that these positive hormones move quickly through our bodies whereas the cancer producing chemicals such as organochlorines move more slowly. If there are enough of these plant hormones in the blood stream, they can easily block organochlorines from attaching themselves to breast cells and from promoting cancer.

These plant hormones can be found in lentils, dried beans, tofu and fermented soy products such as tempeh and miso, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, burdock roots, red clover, hops and ginseng. Regular intake of broccoli and cabbage is also helpful.

Post Transformation Tips

Making changes in favor of your survival and that of the environment often puts us in a period of re-adjustment, not only with the society we live in, but also with our family, friends and neighbors.

Several strategies we use to maintain positive social relations are Natural self-defense does not mean natural aggression, nor does it mean that it will cause you to develop a social disorder triggered by the existence of organochlorines. Foods and herbs that encourage natural self-defense make you lose the taste for products associated with organochlorines.

Allow self-defense foods to empower you to envision and work towards an organochlorine free future without any anger about the present situation. In other words, don’t let the forces that encourage personal and environmental negligence push your buttons.

Chose recycled plastic toys or second hand plastic toys over new ones for your children.

Send lunches in reusable containers.

Bring a bean or lentil salad to the next barbecue or potluck supper. Invite friends who use a lot of plastic and organochlorine products over to eat. Explain why you eat certain foods and what you have done to minimize your contribution to its proliferation. Relay the information in such a way that your guests feel comfortable and leave them to lose the taste for organochlorine products in their own way and time.

Use organic foods to show your body what a natural food is and have confidence that your body will use this knowledge to recognize what isn’t natural and respond appropriately to it. This is a goal that can be started even on a limited budget. The return of your natural body begins with one organic apple, especially a shared one!

Legal Disclaimer-The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

You have my permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Breast Cancer The Cure

There is no known cure for breast cancer. More than 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year worldwide. Scientists don't know why most women get breast cancer, yet breast cancer is the most frequent tumor found in women the world over. A woman who dies of breast cancer is robbed of an average of nearly 20 years of her life. Breast cancer knows no social boundaries. It’s a disease that can affect anyone. Some prominent women who’s lives that have been touched by breast cancer include Jill Eikenberry actress age 52; Peggy Fleming age 49 figure skater; Kate Jackson age 50 (Charlies Angels); Olivia Newton-John age 50 actress singer; Nancy Reagan age 77 former first lady; Melissa Etheridge age 43 singer; and the beautiful Suzanne Summers actress. These high rates of breast cancer are not acceptable to the women of the world and must be met with scientific research that provides results.

Despite over a decade of research, and more than $1.7 billion spent, hundereds of women worldwide are dying from breast cancer every day. Yet doctors don’t know how breast cancer starts or how to cure it. Doctors are still approaching treatment for breast cancer in the same old fashioned ways: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Barbarick treatments…And scientists keep doing the same old redundant research that’s simply not working. It doesn’t have to be that way. Gen Cells Cures is a scientific biotechnology company that is focused on a cure for breast cancer. The company is dedicated to curing breast cancer before it’s too late for you. We’re not interested in a cure in five, ten, or twenty years from now. We want your cure for breast cancer within a year or two. We don’t want you to have to under go surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or take toxic drugs.